AIM-listed Knights Group’s acquisition of South East England law firm Moore Barlow has resulted in several redundancies among business services staff.

On Monday, London-listed legal and professional services firm Knights Group informed shareholders that it had completed its acquisition of the regional law firm with offices in Guildford, Lymington, Richmond, Southampton and Woking, with roots stretching over 200 years in the market.

The deal, first announced in August 2026, covered Moore Barlow’s commercial and private client service lines, as the regional firm had, as planned, disposed of its personal injury, clinical negligence and court of protection business immediately before completion.

Under the deal, the team in Woking relocated to Guildford, so the now Knights-owned firm operates in Guildford, Lymington, Richmond and Southampton.

However, after the deal was completed, LinkedIn was flooded with posts from Moore Barlow staff confirming they received redundancy notices.

The group declined to comment, but understands around 150 business services roles were not retained. These included hiring managers, compliance officers, and receptionists who had been with the business for nearly 20 years. No lawyer roles were at risk.

Knights share price dipped

One of the remaining legal businesses listed on the London Stock Exchange, Knights reported underlying revenue of £207.7m for the full year ended 30 April 2026, up nearly 30 per cent from £162m recorded in the previous year.

The group, which listed in 2018, launched its acquisition strategy under chief executive David Beech and, as of November 2026, has completed nearly 30 acquisitions. Beech told in January 2024 that the group’s “diverse business model” gives partners a “safe haven to earn the same or more in income”, even amid an economic downturn.

Knights Group is trading around 164.30p, down slightly by less than one per cent, but over the year, its share price is down nearly five per cent.